Ellyse Perry's promotion of women's sport has scarcely begun

Just in case Ellyse Perry hasn't done enough – yet – to inspire young women to try and emulate her feats as a dual cricket and football international, she plans to one day use her university degree to devise programmes aimed to encourage even more female participation in Australian sport.

Women's sport is booming, with ratings from the inaugural Women's Big Bash League proving there is a television audience keen to watch female T20 cricket. The Matildas excelled at last year's World Cup, Australia's women's rugby sevens team qualified for the Olympics, the Hockeyroos are the world's No.1-ranked team, Michelle Payne entered history as the first woman to win a Melbourne Cup, Anna Meares remains one of cycling's most respected champions – and that's just scratching the surface.

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In between batting for Australia, bowling for the Breakers, taking screamers for the Sixers and starring on the footy pitch, 25-year-old Perry is studying her Economics and Social Science degree at the University of Sydney. While it could potentially open careers in banking and insurance, business management, local government or even politics, Perry wants to help build upon the record numbers of females getting amongst it on the nation's sporting fields.

"There's various options with the degree but something I'm quite passionate about is providing opportunities for girls to play sport and to be active and healthy," Perry said. "It could be an opportunity to tie it in with government programs that promote kids being physically active.

"The interest in women's sport is growing every year, there's a huge impetus from sporting organisations to ensure their female side of participation and growth . . . it is a really important factor for them. There's more young girls and women in sport now and that's really important and I find when you generally speak the media, and the public, they're more willing to promote it.

"It's an exciting place to be, actually. Sport, and the athletes who compete, play an important role in this day and age where society is fractured and disjointed and [in a time] when technology plays such a big role in our life it's important to have sport as a community-based activity that's inclusive of everyone.

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"And I do hope sport motivates. One of the most . . . peculiar . . . things about sports, and it's the best asset, is once you step out onto the field everyone is equal. It's about the game you're playing and the rules you follow in that game and it's an even-footing for everyone, I think that's an exclusive thing."

In 2013 Perry was ranked the world's 36th most marketable athlete – and the No.1 in Australia, ahead of Tim Cahill, Mark Webber and Michael Clarke. Last year she was named the Outstanding Woman In Sport at the annual I Support Women In Sport awards

While she said the key to her success is her family, and being encouraged to have a variety of interests outside of the football and cricket pitches, Perry conceded professional athletes have a "selfish" streak.

"I learned to play the keyboards and drums," she said. "I loved school and loved learning. I think my childhood, growing up in a family that loved sport and was active helped, as was just being allowed to enjoy it and making the most of the opportunities I've had.

"I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me but in a lot of sense being an athlete is a selfish dream, a selfish occupation because you spend a lot of time focusing on yourself and worrying about yourself; your body and physical state . . . it's quite a selfish pursuit . . . but it's one I truly love and I know it's a finite opportunity."

Perry reached an important life milestone last month when, after hitting the winning runs for the Sixers against the Perth Scorchers at the SCG, tying the knot with Wallabies star Matt Toomua after their 16-month engagement. The pair will move to England where Toomua will play rugby but Perry is remaining committed to Australian sport.

While the pair have been branded a "sporting power couple" she said there was so much more to their relationship than their jobs.

"We have similar jobs, we understand each other's commitments to the teams we play for," she said. "But the way we connect and relate to one another, that's more important."